UCLA researchers identified antibiotic-resistant superbugs in four parks throughout California, according to Medical Xpress. The concentration varied across the four parks, but researchers noted all four city parks had high quantities of antibiotic-resistant superbugs.
Jennifer Jay, PhD, UCLA professor of environmental engineering, said the discoveries are important. However, the public does not need to panic at this point in time because these genes have not combined with pathogenic organisms that infect humans.
Dr. Jay told Medical Xpress, "We don't want to sound alarm bells and have people afraid that they'd be breathing antibiotic-resistant genes while they're in the shower."
Superbugs are growing throughout the world as the United States implores providers to cut down on antibiotic prescriptions. By 2050, researchers predict antibiotic-resistant bacteria will kill 10 million people each year. In the United States, these bacteria account for 23,000 deaths annually.
